Q&A with Richard Baker

2013-09-06T19:00:29-04:00https://images.c-span.org/Files/2f9/20130707200112001_hd.jpgRichard Baker talked about the historical narrative he co-wrote with Neil MacNeil, The American Senate: An Insider’s History. The book details the emergence of the U.S. Senate as what Mr. Baker termed “the most powerful upper house of any legislative body in the world.” He talked about the impact of the 17h Amendment, by which senators were elected by popular vote rather than state legislature. He shared stories of leadership struggles and floor debates, and described the styles and strengths of former Senate leaders such as Senator Mike Mansfield (D-MT), Robert Byrd (D-WV), and Joseph Robinson (D-AR). He talked about the personalities of Senators Everett Dirksen, and John Pastore (D-RI) who was called the “bantam rooster” of the Senate for his aggressive personality and diminutive size. He discussed oratory on the Senate floor and whether it plays any real role in changing the minds and votes of senators. He also talked about the current state of the Senate.

Richard Baker talked about the historical narrative he co-wrote with Neil MacNeil, The American Senate: An Insider’s History. The book details the emergence of the…
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Richard Baker talked about the historical narrative he co-wrote with Neil MacNeil, The American Senate: An Insider’s History. The book details the emergence of the U.S. Senate as what Mr. Baker termed “the most powerful upper house of any legislative body in the world.” He talked about the impact of the 17h Amendment, by which senators were elected by popular vote rather than state legislature. He shared stories of leadership struggles and floor debates, and described the styles and strengths of former Senate leaders such as Senator Mike Mansfield (D-MT), Robert Byrd (D-WV), and Joseph Robinson (D-AR). He talked about the personalities of Senators Everett Dirksen, and John Pastore (D-RI) who was called the “bantam rooster” of the Senate for his aggressive personality and diminutive size. He discussed oratory on the Senate floor and whether it plays any real role in changing the minds and votes of senators. He also talked about the current state of the Senate. close